58 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received in each vocational education committee for the vocational training opportunities scheme in 1996-1997; the number of applications that refer to long-term unemployed and other social welfare recipients; and the number of applicants in each category who obtained places. [18063/96]

It is not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy because of the inordinate amount of staff time that would be required to compile it.

It should be mentioned that the majority of the vocational education committees have not yet finalised their recruitment programme for the 1996-97 academic year.